JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE

Passage: Romans 3:21-31

Key verse: 24

NIV

Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(A) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(B) 22 This righteousness(C) is given through faith(D) in[a] Jesus Christ(E) to all who believe.(F) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(G) 23 for all have sinned(H) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(I) freely by his grace(J) through the redemption(K) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b](L) through the shedding of his blood(M)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(N)— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27 Where, then, is boasting?(O) It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(P) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(Q) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(R) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  2. Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

21 But now (A)the righteousness of God (B)has been manifested apart from the law, although (C)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God (D)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (E)For there is no distinction: 23 for (F)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 (G)and are justified (H)by his grace as a gift, (I)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God (J)put forward as (K)a propitiation (L)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in (M)his divine forbearance he had passed over (N)former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 (O)Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith (P)apart from works of the law. 29 Or (Q)is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since (R)God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and (S)the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. justified by grace through faith (21-26) Apostle Paul argued in 1:18-3:2 that no one on earth is righteous before God by their own effort, not even moral or religious people. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory (23). The good news (gospel) is that Jesus Christ shed his blood to atone for (take away) the sins of all who believe. Jesus' blood paid the price for our redemption. Now we are free from the power and consequences of sin. Christians are "justified," that is, righteous in God's sight. This is a free gift of God's grace, given to all believers in Christ. 2. part from works (27-31) The Jews thought they were justified before God by obeying God's law, which included circumcision. But if their obedience and own effort made them righteous, then they could boast about it. In the gospel of Jesus no one can boast, since it's not what we've done but what Christ has done that saves us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I accept that you shed your holy blood to pay for all my sin and to set me free from condemnation. May my life be a faithful testimony to your grace. Amen.

One Word: Righteousness and redemption to all who believe in Jesus